Tires and wheels

[MitchB]

I am just starting a T500 project.

It will be street legal, a cafe racer type. More of a resto-mod.
I really am targeting cutting the weight as much as possible, and getting it to handle as well as it possibly can.

I will use a dual shock rear set-up with adjustable shocks, but may fit a custom, lighter swingarm. I have a set of period Marzocchi forks and will have them fitted with emulators and correct springs. I have and will use a 340 mm front drum brake (stock lightened rear), so there will be some fabricating to get the wheel to fit the forks...

Wheels will be spokes, shouldered alum rims in 18 inch front and rear.
Question is which width / tire to go with for this? I am absolutely NOT looking for originality so tires with the best grip are a priority.
Suggestions?

[water cooled]

these might be good tires to consider. http://www.shinkotireusa.com/product/product.php?id=2 You could see if the 150 or 160 width will clear the chain and swing arm. Im not as familiar with the T500 as the GT750, but I would not hesitate to see if a set couldnt be found here. If youre looking at new rims, think about 17" for the rear and 18" front as it will provide significantly more options for tire selection. If Shinko doesnt pan out, try Bridgestone BT016 http://www.bridgestone.com/products/mot ... bt016.html. If the rim is spoked, look for radial inner tubes that match your rim size through motorcycle superstore.

[desmocat]

Wheels will be spokes, shouldered alum rims in 18 inch front and rear.
Question is which width / tire to go with for this? I am absolutely NOT looking for originality so tires with the best grip are a priority.
Suggestions?

Go with what works and is legal in vintage racing, rims being WM3 front and WM4 rear. As for tires I would recommend either Heidenau K44 front and K65 rear, or Bridgestone BT45's in 90/90-18 front and 110/80-18 rear.

Using larger modern size tires will only slow down steering asnd overwhelm the period suspension. My race T500 corners better with a narrower rear tire than with say a 135 section rear.

[tz375]

Apropos of nothing, my TZ375 came with 110 front 130/65 rear and it steered heavily. My son's almost identical bike with 90 front 120 rear steers so much better. It just feels better.

[MitchB]

Go with what works and is legal in vintage racing, rims being WM3 front and WM4 rear. As for tires I would recommend either Heidenau K44 front and K65 rear, or Bridgestone BT45's in 90/90-18 front and 110/80-18 rear.

Using larger modern size tires will only slow down steering and overwhelm the period suspension. My race T500 corners better with a narrower rear tire than with say a 135 section rear.


Remember, I'm not going Vintage racing - so am not limited by Class requirements, and I will be fitting suspension far superior to what the bike came with.

I'm curious as to why older bikes are thought to steer heavier on wider tires? The bike's weights are not that light (comparable to a modern sportbike) in street legal trim, so why not run comparable profile (if not widths) width modern rubber?

[tz375]

modern bikes are completely unlike old bikes. Frames are stiffer, steering geometry is very different, suspension components far better etc.

Translation: new suspension on old frame bends and twists old frames. Fat tires on old suspension geometry = heavy steering.

Do some more research and please ignore the plethora of show bikes all over the interwebs that never run at all or are sold after they finish the rounds of Pipeburn etc.

The suggestion about using what works on a race bike is because it works period. That combo handles well and grips well and more (rubber width) isn't always more (performance).